Councillors are objecting to proposals for a new waste transfer centre in Ardleigh if infrastructure issues are not resolved.

Members of Tendring District Council’s (TDC’s) planning committee have voted to oppose the scheme for land next to the A120.

They voiced concerns about traffic problems that would be created unless a new junction is built to serve the site in both directions and that the development could have a detrimental impact on Tendring’s tourist trade.

Carlo Guglielmi, cabinet member for planning and corporate services, said: “We must not let the county council steam roller this through.

“Our objection must be very robust and we need to threaten a judicial review.”

He said grounds for a judicial review would be that Essex County Council had gone against its own policies by selecting the Ardleigh site.

The proposal, put forward by the county council, would see the centre receive municipal and residual waste from the Tendring district and Colchester borough before being bulked up and sent to a recycling facility in Basildon.

Access is proposed to be from existing slip roads off and onto the eastbound carriageway of the A120 and all vehicles using the site would be routed between the Ardleigh Crown interchange and Frating roundabout.

TDC leader Peter Halliday said there was a better site at Cuckoo Farm.

“This is the wrong location without the right infrastructure in place and would adversely affect our tourism offer,” he added.

“Visitors would find themselves stuck in traffic queues behind large waste trucks and these vehicles will be operating on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Hardly the image we want to promote.”

The council’s views will be sent to Essex County Council.